Forest minister Ananta Roy said the government has already identified a 226-acre plot in Bhagwanpur mouza off Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. A concept paper has been prepared and a global tender for preparation of the detailed project report will be floated soon for the nature-cumwildlife park.

The new plan is aimed at shifting some of the animals from their cramped confines of the 45-acre zoo. Most of the aquatic animals will be shifted to the new site first as a large portion of the identified land falls in the wetland zone. The rest may join them later.

The cost pegged at Rs 50 crore  has forced the state to consider implementing the project by a private-public-partnership (PPP). "We are going ahead with the project and plan to make a portion of the zoo operational by 2009," Roy said.

The push for the new zoo has also given a fillip to the fisheries department's endeavour to set up an underground aquarium. The land department has consistently turned down the former's proposal of this ambitious project. However, if things work out according to the present plans, then this long-awaited facility will be a part of the new zoo.

The CM also expressed concern over the reduction in the number of migratory birds coming to the state over the past few years. It was decided that large waterbodies like the Mahananda barrage and the one in Alipore zoo will be cleaned up to attract more birds. Once the zoo is shifted to its new location, more birds are expected to come during the winters.